By Andrea Parker, Executive Director
If the acronym STI is not familiar to you, then here is your opportunity to learn more. STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection. Other more notable terms are Sexually Transmitted Disease and VD (Venereal Disease). This is a topic that most people shy away from discussing, and as a result, many adults don’t have all the facts, thus our youth and young adults suffer the consequences of not knowing.
An STI can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. One becomes positive by having sexual contact with another person who is positive, and who may or may not have symptoms. STI’s affect men and women of all ages, ethnicities, and economic levels; however, the most affected population are those between the ages of 15 and 24. Females are often more severely affected than males, and are more likely to have noticeable signs and symptoms compared to males who are positive. As a result, females often seek medical attention, and receive treatment more than males. Unfortunately, if the partner notification process is not initiated, then reinfection occurs, until both partners seek medical care, and are properly treated.
STI’s are spread by having intimate sexual contact with someone who has an infection. Again, without consistent signs and symptoms, infected people may not know that they are positive, and their partners may be unaware, as well.
Intimate sexual contact includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and of course, intercourse. Not all STI’s are spread in the same manner; therefore, it is possible to contract and transmit an infection without having intercourse.
If left undiagnosed, thus untreated, STI’s may cause other health conditions, such as cancer, infertility, problems during pregnancy, and other infections to body organs — and possibly even death.
Often times, the signs and symptoms identified are masked as urinary tract infections or yeast infections, thus the medication therapy may not be effective to properly treat the STI.
Here is a list of the more known infections: Bacterial Vaginosis, Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Pubic lice (crabs), Syphilis, Trichomoniasis (trich).
What are some common signs and symptoms if you have a STI? For females, there may be vaginal itching, pain with urination, a vaginal discharge with an odor, fever, nausea, bleeding between periods, and changes in bowel habits. Males may have burning with urination, a penile discharge, a noticeable rash, and depending on the type of infection, no symptoms at all. With vagueness of symptoms, people are unaware of the need to seek medical treatment.
Testing for an STI is simple. Your doctor will do an exam to look for signs of an infection, and ask you some questions about your health; then you may have a blood and urine test, and your doctor may conduct a swab test in order to collect tissue to be looked at under a microscope, or to send away for lab testing. All of the testing will have results back to your doctor within minutes to a few days, depending on the type of test. Treatment usually consists of medication by mouth, or a shot. However, if HIV/AIDS is confirmed, your doctor will counsel you.
The best ways to avoid an STI is to not have sex or participate in any intimate sexual activity, be faithful in your relationship, and communicate with your partner; but, if in doubt, seek medical attention. If you are a parent or the adult caregiver, find ways to talk with your youth, or seek guidance from your health provider; or contact the Hult Center for Healthy Living to learn about our programs that address this topic.
The Hult Center for Healthy Living offers family life educational programs relating to STIs, how life begins, and female and male puberty. For more information, call the Hult Center at 309-692-6650. Visit: hulthealthy.org.
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